The effects of teleconnection patterns on lake-effect snowfall in the Lake Erie snowbelt, 1951-2007

Abstract:

The relationships between teleconnection patterns the Pacific/North American (PNA) index, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)—and lake-effect snowfall are examined. Bivariate and partial correlations are used over seasonal and semi-seasonal periods for stations within the Lake Erie snowbelt to link teleconnection phases to snowfall increases. Significant negative correlations were seen throughout the entire winter between NAO and snowfall. Relationships between PNA and ENSO on snowfall were less evident, with significant correlations during the mid-winter months between a positive PNA and snowfall and significant correlations during the late winter in the western zone between a negative ENSO and snowfall.